Those memories are etched deeply. Like people along the Jersey Shore, like people with homes out East, like businesses that have been destroyed and homeowners in the low-lying areas of our communities, all we can do is rebuild and begin making new memories. I believe that once the adrenaline rush subsides, we will begin to understand the enormity of this disaster and the fallout that will rain down on us for months and years. It will take time.

As I write, we’re just a few days from Election Day. By the time you read this, we’ll know who the next president will be.

The storm hammered us. It put President Obama to yet another test — another crucible. He dropped the campaign and picked up his day job, offering solace and money and the good faith and power of the U.S. government to those desperate for help. Mitt Romney had called for draconian cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency because it represents “big government.” That right-wing rant went out to sea this week, along with the homes of thousands of people along the coast.

If you live on Long Island, that very same FEMA is already responding to residents’ emergency requests. Loans, grants and payments are available to people who have suffered losses. FEMA announced that, for 10 days, the government will pick up the tab for emergency services, including getting mass transportation up and running in the New York area. No state could do this on its own.

This president has our back. Just ask Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, who said that the president’s management of this crisis has been “outstanding.” Christie also told Fox News that he wasn’t interested in hosting a P.R. visit from Mitt Romney, who was clearly seeking some hurricane air time.

Sandy was an October surprise no one could have anticipated, but it allowed us to see the president in action. Quiet, calm and focused, he demonstrated true leadership during this attack from Mother Nature.

If I’m caught in a storm, I want him at the helm of my ship. I hope that by the time you read this, the president has gotten the vote of confidence he deserves.

Comments

Nice to see that Governor Christie's word is gospel. You can not be taken seriously. It's a dangerous practice, and it's an example of why the country is so divided, for one to see zero fault in one side, and zero good in the other. That's the way it is. Show me, Mrs. Kreiss, where Mit Romney stated that he wanted to come to NJ for a photo opportunity. If you make such a remark, you need to show proof. The fact of the matter is that it's just your opinion. Just as anyone could ask where Mr. Obama was when Long Islanders and Staten Islanders were suffering. You heard Chris Matthews, an Obama lackey, make the remark that he was glad that the storm occurred. Remember? He's likely one of the guys you like. Of course he didn't mean that he was pleased about the suffering, but he believed it was an opportunity for the President to gain some points, which he may or may not have done. I have a question, Mrs. Kreiss. Mr. Obama said he created 5,000,000 jobs. Do you believe that to be true? He said it over and over, but the math disproves this. I ask because you stated that he always tells the truth. Do you believe the assertion that he created 5,000,000 jobs? He's a fraud. He's just very fortunate that the opponent was nothing special, and that the people in the country are moved by style rather than substance. If the country is to ever be united again, people like you will be no help, because you want division, you want one voice, one direction, etc.